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spirals?: Collected short writings of Dienw Neb
I'm still not sure if you're real or not. Still, I wrote this for you. Rather, this was written for you - my existence no less debatable than yours, or the nature of existence entire. What it means to be real seems contextual, and context changes. In the end, it is all a form of play. That is what we want, is it not? To play? Or at least, for there to be play. Those of us who do not want to play, we work, so that others may play. Writing this was a labour of love, somebody has observed. Working with words, in this case. A labour of love, so there may be play. Play with words, words, words.
This is a collection of seventeen short stories and flash fiction, as well as circular, incoherent musings on the nature of reality (and things that may, or may not exist within it).
This is a collection of seventeen short stories and flash fiction, as well as circular, incoherent musings on the nature of reality (and things that may, or may not exist within it).
123 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In spirals?, author Dienw Neb presents seventeen short stories, turning mundane experiences or thoughts into questions of existentialism and isolation. Personally, I read to page 42 (~34%) before stepping away from this title, as the pacing of each short story and some of the arguments presented simply didn’t align with my personal reading preferences. However, the author clearly put a lot of heart into the premise, and the title is definitely fitting, with each short story seeming to pull you out of your current reality and into the labyrinth that is this piece of work.
My favorite short story was “What are birds?...”, a witty discussion between a grandparent and grandchild over the disappearance of birds. An excerpt I feel perfectly encapsulates Neb’s humor and style of writing is this: while discussing the transformation of birds into something more dystopian, the narrator (the grandparent) comments, “It made a lot of trouble, to start. A nightmare for the fast food industry, like you can imagine” (Neb, 12). Neb’s dry humor really shines throughout this collection. While it wasn’t the right fit for my personal reading preferences, avid short story readers who appreciate witty banter mixed with abstractionism will find that this collection is well worth picking up!
My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
In spirals?, author Dienw Neb presents seventeen short stories, turning mundane experiences or thoughts into questions of existentialism and isolation. Personally, I read to page 42 (~34%) before stepping away from this title, as the pacing of each short story and some of the arguments presented simply didn’t align with my personal reading preferences. However, the author clearly put a lot of heart into the premise, and the title is definitely fitting, with each short story seeming to pull you out of your current reality and into the labyrinth that is this piece of work.
My favorite short story was “What are birds?...”, a witty discussion between a grandparent and grandchild over the disappearance of birds. An excerpt I feel perfectly encapsulates Neb’s humor and style of writing is this: while discussing the transformation of birds into something more dystopian, the narrator (the grandparent) comments, “It made a lot of trouble, to start. A nightmare for the fast food industry, like you can imagine” (Neb, 12). Neb’s dry humor really shines throughout this collection. While it wasn’t the right fit for my personal reading preferences, avid short story readers who appreciate witty banter mixed with abstractionism will find that this collection is well worth picking up!
My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
August 2, 2026
Thank you to the author and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC!
I enjoyed the variety contained in the stories. Every next one was fresh and new, written in a different style and genre, on a completely different topic. If the reader does not like one of the stories, they can be rest assured that the next one will be nothing like the one before. It was a very unique reading experience that I can't say I've ever had before. My favorite stories are What are birds?, and the one about a special effects guy turned night guard. The story with a trapper in it is probably the most surprising one and one that is likely to stick with me. A plot twist for the ages!
The one that ends with "don't @ me" is a point where I considered stopping reading, somewhere in the middle of that short story. Let's just say the author and I hold different opinions on that topic. There were also several other stories that did not work for me, but would work for other readers.
I enjoyed the variety contained in the stories. Every next one was fresh and new, written in a different style and genre, on a completely different topic. If the reader does not like one of the stories, they can be rest assured that the next one will be nothing like the one before. It was a very unique reading experience that I can't say I've ever had before. My favorite stories are What are birds?, and the one about a special effects guy turned night guard. The story with a trapper in it is probably the most surprising one and one that is likely to stick with me. A plot twist for the ages!
The one that ends with "don't @ me" is a point where I considered stopping reading, somewhere in the middle of that short story. Let's just say the author and I hold different opinions on that topic. There were also several other stories that did not work for me, but would work for other readers.
August 1, 2026
A gallery of full of ideas, worlds, perspectives. From surreal horror and biting satire, to meditations on meaning and metaphysical musings; the author effortlessly leaps through subjects and styles. There is a sacred geometry to the scattered stories, winding us through memories forgotten, discovered, and yet to come. Spirals? is brilliant.
August 1, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author.
This book of short stories is perfect if, like me, you like to read wherever you go but don’t always have a lot of time. For example during a lunch break from work. Even the longest of these stories will be readable in such a break.
I found them amusing and some were extremely thought provoking, but in a good way.
This book of short stories is perfect if, like me, you like to read wherever you go but don’t always have a lot of time. For example during a lunch break from work. Even the longest of these stories will be readable in such a break.
I found them amusing and some were extremely thought provoking, but in a good way.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews